Cyprus-Forum.com

[limassol2007]

Her BMW is parked around the corner... kick sand in her face and walk away with a smug grin on yours...

You little grump. Her BMW is not around the corner, but the Porsche of the one that "employs" her, might be.


Google-it, YouTube-it and you will find information on how the heads of these chains are descending regularly from expensive cars and collect money from the beggars.

They are so well organized that you will not find them overpopulating an area, the stories don't repeat, they use kids to inflate the effect.

If the stories do repeat, then they really have a bad PR.

[Oracle]

Limassol2007 .... I am not naive.

As I said you are free to walk away if that makes you feel better ... keep your money in the bank for the Hedge Fund Managers to help make rich people richer ....

It is all part of the links in the machinations of our Capitalist system.

[Floda]

"Alms for a child of misfortune" is an expression that has been with us for many years, not so commonly used nowadays but the principal remains the same.

When one is approached by a person seeking relief or assistance on behalf of themselves OR another, it is time to make a conscious decision, the easiest way is to compare one's own situation with that of the supplicant who at the very least implies that one is worthy of being asked for assistance.

Whether or not one's general appearance attracts the attention of the supplicant is a moot point, the REAL issue is that one can not be sure of the sincerity of the request made.

Therefore, since at the very least one will receive a small boost to one's own self esteem, I would suggest that "Alms" should be given in the hope that the request is genuine since the alternative is unthinkable (particularly in the case of the sick child).

Ultimately, the one who gives charitably, MUST have a greater self respect than the one who seeks to gain by seeking charity by deception, thus, the act of accommodating the supplicant is a reward in itself.

There is much poverty and suffering in today's world unfortunately.

[Oracle]

Thanks Floda for a sobering, balanced, practical approach.

If for no other reason (altruism being hard to attain), I have learnt (conditioned) that the only times I have felt deep regret, sadness and real pain were when I have walked away whilst knowing I could have helped.

I don't lie awake thinking I "lost" some money being taken for a ride, because that happens ALL the time that I allow myself to live in a Capitalist system. But that is my choice.

The sad fact is when "normal"/street savvy people think they are not being taken for a ride just because they keep their hands in their pockets because they are working, paying a mortgage, watching TV, buying cars, wine etc etc etc! .... but are clever enough to youtube their way to satisfy this clever "conscience".

[denizaksulu]

You do not have to give if you think your money is so precious it should only be used to buy you the "truth". If you cannot respect this woman's Human Right, to not have to lay bare her reasons for asking for money, then walk away.

Maybe she feels shame in asking for herself.

What gives us the right to judge her "worthy" before we feel justified to part with our money. After all, we buy a new product (breakfast cereal etc) on mere "say so" of advertising or "word of mouth", and maybe even knowing we may be taken for a ride by the hype ... yet we do not value a few pounds / euros enough (we Occidentals) to think too hard about trying it out ...

So why does it matter so much if some poor unfortunate may have invented a story to justify her asking you for money?

I feel really outraged now ....

I often wander what Utopian dreamland you live in Oracle. I cannot believe for one moment that you live in a world where no scammers exist. These ' beggars' come in all shape and form. As Sophie pointed out the Gypries are number one, but other scammers also exist.

I hope you had a relaxing time in Gr.

[Oracle]

You do not have to give if you think your money is so precious it should only be used to buy you the "truth". If you cannot respect this woman's Human Right, to not have to lay bare her reasons for asking for money, then walk away.

Maybe she feels shame in asking for herself.

What gives us the right to judge her "worthy" before we feel justified to part with our money. After all, we buy a new product (breakfast cereal etc) on mere "say so" of advertising or "word of mouth", and maybe even knowing we may be taken for a ride by the hype ... yet we do not value a few pounds / euros enough (we Occidentals) to think too hard about trying it out ...

So why does it matter so much if some poor unfortunate may have invented a story to justify her asking you for money?

I feel really outraged now ....

I often wander what Utopian dreamland you live in Oracle. I cannot believe for one moment that you live in a world where no scammers exist. These ' beggars' come in all shape and form. As Sophie pointed out the Gypries are number one, but other scammers also exist.

I hope you had a relaxing time in Gr.

There are all sorts of "scammers". I don't care for them. I know they are part and parcel of this very real world.

As I said, you are free to choose your behaviour if you can justify the choice.

But as Floda often points out .... be wary you do not "scam" your own conscience!

Greece was wonderful thank you for asking. Re-calibrated my moral compass as only the Motherland of Socrates could manage ....

[Hazza]

My barber has the right idea on these people. When they come into the shop begging for money, he is more than happy to give them some......as long as they sweep up first in his shop. Simple really, they EARN that money and the right to have the money.

Unfortunately, alot of them turn around and walk out......lazy buggers that they are.

[limassol2007]

Oracle [and Floda], what part of you, supporting a dirty form of organized crime didn't understand? Those people are organized in rings, with a very well established hierarchy that uses kids and old ladies to extort donation.

Begging is illegal, I assume.

Paying those people means giving support to a form of exploitation of the unfortunate and uneducated!

In extreme case, I can put is as: you people, with your poetry and "good-will", FINANCE a ring of exploitation. I know it makes you feel good about yourself if you pass an Euro to a beggar.

Please, read this: http://news.scotsman.com/immigrationand ... 3301464.jp


And honestly, get out of your bubble [applies to Floda] and don't relief any of your frustrations by giving money these people.

[Floda]

Oracle [and Floda], what part of you, supporting a dirty form of organized crime didn't understand? Those people are organized in rings, with a very well established hierarchy that uses kids and old ladies to extort donation.

Begging is illegal, I assume.

Paying those people means giving support to a form of exploitation of the unfortunate and uneducated!

In extreme case, I can put is as: you people, with your poetry and "good-will", FINANCE a ring of exploitation. I know it makes you feel good about yourself if you pass an Euro to a beggar.

Please, read this: http://news.scotsman.com/immigrationand ... 3301464.jp


And honestly, get out of your bubble [applies to Floda] and don't relief any of your frustrations by giving money these people.

Obviously presented by a person who believes MORE in the publications of those who wish to CONTROL society than those who would wish to IMPROVE it.

The small scams which these 'beggars' (as they are described) impose upon us, pale into insignificance when compared to the scams perpetrated by those who seek to (and do) control our daily lives.

Does it ever occur to you that some of those applying for help may be genuine cases ?, can you really take the risk of denying (in one case) the possibility of helping a dying child ?.

For the sake of a couple of Euros, is such a risk even worth consideration ?.

If you feel the need to protest scamming, look to the REAL scammers, so largely evident that they escape your notice perhaps.

[Oracle]

Oracle [and Floda], what part of you, supporting a dirty form of organized crime didn't understand? Those people are organized in rings, with a very well established hierarchy that uses kids and old ladies to extort donation.

Begging is illegal, I assume.

Paying those people means giving support to a form of exploitation of the unfortunate and uneducated!

In extreme case, I can put is as: you people, with your poetry and "good-will", FINANCE a ring of exploitation. I know it makes you feel good about yourself if you pass an Euro to a beggar.

Please, read this: http://news.scotsman.com/immigrationand ... 3301464.jp


And honestly, get out of your bubble [applies to Floda] and don't relief any of your frustrations by giving money these people.

Sorry, The Scotsman is a profoundly, racist, scaremongering nationalist paper that would blow up any morsel of "news" to feed the bored, ageing population of Scotland (love the place really ).

Read the article again, they have no evidence other than hearsay (from a home-grown beggar ). The fact the two boards had the same message, may mean the same person helped them translate what they wanted to say.

Even if they were begging to send money home, what difference does that make to you if you have disposable income. Of course, if you don't, never mind!

But I'll bet you don't show as much concern wasting money on many other forms of "scams", simply because you derive some belief you are in control.

It's too easy to find an excuse to justify not giving. Giving is not about making yourself feel better (go on, give someone some money ... I bet you won't feel better, unless you confuse it with smugness) ... but not giving makes you feel crappy!